Evolutionary Theories of Religion

[robvalue]

I suppose we're the only animal who consciously considers their mortality outside of dangerous situations. Is that safe to say?

It seems again that some people just don't want to accept death is almost certainly the end, so have to buy into some fantasy story or other to put their mind at ease. If it stops them being paralysed with fear, and like you say unable to act, I suppose it has its use in that way.

It does seem that those who were never raised in religion, surrounded by promises of eternal life, tend to handle the subject better though. So maybe it's a parenting shortcut when a child approaches the age of thinking about death, to sugar coat it and pretend it doesn't really happen. This then screws up the child's ability to properly process the reality.